| Rowland S. Howard – Autoluminescent Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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My favorite song about what the back and forth of addiction and substance dependency is like. Notice how every other verse describes either a state of brightness or darkness. In the luminescent phrases he feels as though he's more powerful than God and can take on anything. In the dark phrases, he falls through a tortured endless spiral. Important terms - No Contest: a plea by which a defendant in a criminal prosecution accepts conviction but does not plead or admit guilt. Nova: a star showing a sudden large increase in brightness and then slowly returning to its original state. "I fell on a soft spot. I'm white heat, I'm white hot again." In this state the only way to pick yourself up after pain and misery is to return to the cycle. Hence he ends the song by repeating the word, "Again" over and over. |
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| Cardiacs – Tarred and Feathered Lyrics | 2 years ago |
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I think this song is greatly existential in nature. It's about time, existence, death, and the banality of life. I FIND I UNDERSTAND THE RULES, BUT CANNOT FIND THE REASON DO THEY INCLUDE EVERYTHING? AND THEY CHANGE FOR EVERY SEASON There is a framework in life. And there are rules to go along with it that are often unfair, unreasonable, and have little purpose. These rules are subject to change at the whim of those in power who have created them. The next two lines are clichés that, literally, share the word "time". Time being the great equalizer, we live and die by it. There are a lot of clichés that deal with the concept of time. They're common and often true. Ex. "Time waits for no one", "Time Will Tell", "Waste of Time", etc. It's only a matter of time - refers to something that is inevitable, but it's unknown exactly when it will happen in time. (ie: death) Time is of the essence - refers to something that urgently needs to happen because time is running out. (ie: anything in life) Okay, so TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE SHOULD I PUT UP SOME RESISTANCE? CURSED BY THE AWARENESS OF MY OWN EXISTENCE Time is running out and there is no way to stop that clock. Honestly, is there any point in trying to defy reality and time when death is inevitable and rules don't mean anything? To be aware of your existence is to be aware of your own looming death. TIME TENDS TO PASS BY QUICKER THAN THE NAIL THAT BOXES ME TOGETHER, FOREVER IT FORMS THE SEAL IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF MY OWN EXISTENCE REAL? Tim's talking about death here too, using the imagery of a coffin being nailed shut. It's being sealed by fate and time - boxing him in forever. This hints at another cliché too, "final nail in the coffin". But who can tell, since again rules aren't what they seem and you can't always trust your own intellect or perception about what is even real. A SLICE OF LIFE, A PEACE OF MIND LAID ON A PLATE OF MY OWN KIND Again, he's using cliché and idiom to put his statement in the realm of the common. An ordinary, mundane view of the world can give you peace of mind when you're viewing it through a lens you can relate to. "Laid on a plate of my own kind". I'LL TAKE A KEY FROM THE GRAVY AND UNLOCK THE CAGE THAT HOLDS THE RAVENS IN I'm no psychologist, and I'm not sure about what specific theory he may be referencing, but to me, "gravy" hints at some sort of primordial construct of the subconscious. "The cage that holds the ravens in" being the part of the subconscious were dark fears and desires are hidden. This phrase, comprised of all four lines, suggests that to unlock the secrets of your mind, no matter how dark, will set you free and give you peace of mind. You just have to trust yourself enough to do this. WHAT'S IT LIKE FLYING HIGH? I'VE A CONE FOR A BEAK, BUT THE TAR MAKES ME CRY THAT HOLDS ME TOGETHER TARRED AND FEATHERED This phrase overtly refers to the punishment of tarring and feathering a person. But I don't think it necessarily has to do with public humiliation and the scrutiny of others. My interpretation is that of self-doubt, self-growth, and a fear of failure. Once you think you have it all figured out in life, you get knocked down. You don't know as much as you think you do, and you're always farther behind in life than you think you are. That realization should help you work up to the next level, once you adjust your perception and do the mental work. In the meantime, you may think you're flying high like a bird, but you're actually playing dress up, only pretending you're soaring to greater heights. You don't know shit, and always you're fooling yourself. BREATHING HOME, HOPING FOR THE DAY THE RADIO AND TELEVISION'S THROWN THE REST AWAY OH, DEAR ME, LOOK WHO'S COME AROUND NOW ALL I HAVE TO DO IS HIDE MY BODY IN THE GROUND Again, my take is that this phrase is about existence and death. It describes a person sitting at home, wasting their time, giving in to idle pleasures instead of doing something relevant that will lead to personal growth. If you just wait for enlightenment to occur naturally, death is the only thing that is certain to "come around". So DO SOMETHING! (See Passenger Seat People - by The Sun City Girls: songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858727378/) WHEN THEY WHO TO THE SEA GO DOWN AND IN THE WATERS PLY THEIR TOIL ARE LIFTED ON THE SURGE'S CROWN AND PLUNGED WHERE SEETHING EDDIES BOIL My direct interpretation is that if you plan to do anything of any depth or substance, you should be prepared for the ebbs and flows, failures and successes associated with putting yourself out there. Struggling in this space between life and death to keep your head above water, you may find yourself riding high on the waves or facing the threat of drowning. That balance HAS to exist. But no matter what, we all face plunging into the depths of nothingness in the end. That's what this is all about. |
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